About the book
The Berlin Wall is arguably the most prominent symbol of the Cold War era. Its construction in 1961 and its dismantling in 1989 are broadly understood as pivotal moments in the history of the last century. In A Wall of Our Own, Paul M. Farber traces the Berlin Wall as a site of pilgrimage for American artists, writers, and activists. During the Cold War and in the shadow of the Wall, figures such as Leonard Freed, Angela Davis, Shinkichi Tajiri, and Audre Lorde weighed the possibilities and limits of American democracy. All were sparked by their first encounters with the Wall, incorporated their reflections in books and artworks directed toward the geopolitics of division in the United States, and considered divided Germany as a site of intersection between art and activism over the respective courses of their careers. Departing from the well-known stories of Americans seeking post–World War II Paris for their own self-imposed exile or traveling the open road of the domestic interstate highway system, Farber reveals the divided city of Berlin as another destination for Americans seeking a critical distance. By analyzing the experiences and cultural creations of “American Berliner” artists and activists, Farber offers a new way to view not only the Wall itself but also how the Cold War still structures our thinking about freedom, repression, and artistic resistance on a global scale.
Editions of A Wall of Our Own
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469655079
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469655086
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469655109
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890848598
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469655093
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890848581
Read an Excerpt
The Berlin Wall is arguably the most prominent symbol of the Cold War era. Its construction in 1961 and its dismantling in 1989 are broadly understood as pivotal moments in the history of the last century. In A Wall of Our Own, Paul M. Farber traces the Berlin Wall as a site of pilgrimage for American artists, writers, and activists. During the Cold War and in the shadow of the Wall, figures such as Leonard Freed, Angela Davis, Shinkichi Tajiri, and Audre Lorde weighed the possibilities and limits of American democracy. All were sparked by their first encounters with the Wall, incorporated their reflections in books and artworks directed toward the geopolitics of division in the United States, and considered divided Germany as a site of intersection between art and activism over the respective courses of their careers. Departing from the well-known stories of Americans seeking post–World War II Paris for their own self-imposed exile or traveling the open road of the domestic interstate highway system, Farber reveals the divided city of Berlin as another destination for Americans seeking a critical distance. By analyzing the experiences and cultural creations of “American Berliner” artists and activists, Farber offers a new way to view not only the Wall itself but also how the Cold War still structures our thinking about freedom, repression, and artistic resistance on a global scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Wall of Our Own about?
The Berlin Wall is arguably the most prominent symbol of the Cold War era. Its construction in 1961 and its dismantling in 1989 are broadly understood as pivotal moments in the history of the last century. In A Wall of Our Own, Paul M. Farber traces the Berlin Wall as a site of pilgrimage for American artists, writers, and activists. During the Cold War and in the shadow of the Wall, figures such as Leonard Freed, Angela Davis, Shinkichi Tajiri, and Audre Lorde weighed the possibilities and limits of American democracy. All were sparked by their first encounters with the Wall, incorporated their reflections in books and artworks directed toward the geopolitics of division in the United States, and considered divided Germany as a site of intersection between art and activism over the respective courses of their careers. Departing from the well-known stories of Americans seeking post–World War II Paris for their own self-imposed exile or traveling the open road of the domestic interstate highway system, Farber reveals the divided city of Berlin as another destination for Americans seeking a critical distance. By analyzing the experiences and cultural creations of “American Berliner” artists and activists, Farber offers a new way to view not only the Wall itself but also how the Cold War still structures our thinking about freedom, repression, and artistic resistance on a global scale.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in A Wall of Our Own?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of A Wall of Our Own?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469655079
How long is A Wall of Our Own and how many pages does it have?
A Wall of Our Own has 264 page(s)
Is A Wall of Our Own part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Studies in United States Culture
Who is/are the Author/s of the book A Wall of Our Own?
Paul M. Farber
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
A Wall of Our Own is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469655079) and paperback(ISBN 9781469655086) and ebook(ISBN 9781469655109) and ebook(ISBN 9798890848598) and ebook(ISBN 9781469655093) and pdf(ISBN 9798890848581)
Where can I buy A Wall of Our Own online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy A Wall of Our Own from below
Where can I buy A Wall of Our Own?